His wife, Mireille Mabaya, 37, is currently living in Brazzaville, the capital city of the Congo, with his other son, Michee, 12, and two daughters Divine, 10, and Charly, five.

He said: “They are not in a safe place. I’m worried about them. I saw them last in 2005.”

During his time on Teesside, Jean Michel has become involved in numerous community ventures.

He is a founding member of Tees Valley World Drummers, teaches in schools and colleges and also volunteers in his local church.

Stockton-based charity Justice First is supporting his plight and has gathered almost 600 of the signatures, while a Facebook group has accumulated the rest.

Catherine Ramos, of Citizens for Sanctuary, which campaigns for people fleeing persecution, claims nine out of 10 Congolese asylum seekers sent back from Teesside between 2007 and 2009 have suffered abuse.

Jean Michel claims he was also the victim of torture before he fled.

Ms Ramos is gathering evidence that she intends to make available to the UK Border Agency (UKBA).

UKBA regional director Jeremy Oppenheim said: “Failed asylum seekers are returned to the Democratic Republic of Congo only when the UK Border Agency and the independent courts are satisfied it is safe to do so.

“If we receive any specific allegations that any returnee, to any country, has experienced ill treatment on return from the UK then we investigate fully. Allegations made regarding returns to the DRC have so far been found by UKBA and the Court of Appeal to be without substance.”